Bengals’ three-round projection for 2025 with playoff dream dead

Joe Burrow almost had enough magic in his right arm to help the Cincinnati Bengals make the playoffs after a slow start. Cincinnati came up short in the end, but their late-season run showed that they are just one or two smart offseason moves away from ruining next season’s postseason party.

A few smart moves in free agency can help improve head coach Zac Taylor’s roster, but the draft is where the team can really improve. The defense could use reinforcements at almost every position. Finding one or two players who can create negative plays up front should be a major consideration for the Bengals front office whenever time runs out.

Burrow’s skills make the offense prolific, but the impending departure of Tee Higgins will leave a hole in the starting lineup at wide receiver. Help on the offensive line is always a priority for a team that has a star quarterback to protect.

The Bengals have a great opportunity to take a big step forward in 2025 if they can land premium prospects early in the draft. Here’s how the big event could play out for Cincinnati.

Walter Nolen was one of the top high school recruits in the country when he arrived at Texas A&M. He finally found his way to Ole Miss after a coaching change and began to fulfill his vast potential under the watchful eye of head coach Lane Kiffin.

At his best, Nolen is a powerful defensive lineman who uses his strength to push opposing linemen. He also has surprising quickness for a man his size. In many ways, he found the game too easy during its development. That made him get a little lazy with his technique.

The Bengals can deploy him as a defensive end who can rush the passer and resist the run on first downs. His value could be at its peak if he is given license to move inside on passing downs and attack the quarterback with reckless abandon. Nolen has the talent to be a difference-maker for a Bengals defense that needs to find some stars who can swing games in their favor.

The Bengals defense also needs help at the second level. In particular, finding a coverage linebacker like Jihaad Campbell could give the unit a big boost in versatility next season.

Campbell had five sacks for Alabama last season but that’s not where he’ll make money in the NFL. Pro scouts like his ability to drop into coverage and run with opposing running backs and tight ends. He’ll need to add physical strength to withstand the run next year, but he’s still young enough to add good weight once he enters the league.

Pairing Campbell with Nolen in the first two rounds would give the Bengals a nice combination of a high ceiling and a high floor player to add to their poor defense. Campbell may never become a star, but he can be a real asset against the modern passing attacks that dominate the NFL.

The Oregon Ducks may have been eliminated from the College Football Playoff, but that has done nothing to hinder Tez Johnson’s draft stock. He doesn’t have the size to replace Higgins on the outside, but he can help offset his departure by giving the team’s options at the position a boost.

Johnson has electric speed that is particularly evident when his offense is able to get him the ball in space. He is difficult to tackle in the open field and can also use his foot speed to get behind opposing defensive backs. He needs to improve his hands to maximize his athletic ability, but he made progress on that front during his final season with the Ducks.

Burrow has the type of accuracy that a wide receiver with Johnson’s skill set can really take advantage of. Lining him up in the slot next to Ja’Marr Chase would be a nightmare for opposing cornerbacks. He’s the type of rookie who can come in and make big plays for an offense that thrives on explosives. Johnson won’t make fans forget about Higgins, but he may help soften the blow of his likely departure.